Master's in Education at Wichita State University: Programs & Specializations

Kansas schools are steadily shifting toward requiring advanced degrees for specialized roles: over the next decade, the need for school counselors, instructional coordinators, and gifted education teachers is outpacing the supply of qualified candidates. Wichita State University responds with a suite of M.Ed. specializations: school counseling, teacher leadership, early childhood education, and gifted education, designed to meet these demands.

Choosing the right path depends on understanding delivery formats (online, hybrid, on-campus), total costs, admission requirements, and the career outcomes each specialization unlocks. For many Kansas educators, the deciding factor is a program that fits into an already full professional life while providing a clear return on investment.

What Sets Wichita State’s College of Education Apart

Wichita State’s College of Education stands apart by combining a deeply practical, applied learning model with strong accreditation and an extensive network of school partnerships that reach across Kansas. Rather than focusing solely on theory, the college prepares educators to lead in Pre-K, 12 classrooms, counseling offices, and administrative roles from day one.

A Foundation of Quality and Accountability

The college operates under the accreditation of the Higher Learning Commission,¹ ensuring that every degree program meets rigorous academic standards. Its educator preparation programs also hold state approval from the Kansas State Department of Education,¹ so graduates enter the workforce fully eligible for licensure and well-regarded by school districts statewide.

Innovative Partnerships Across the State

Wichita State’s reach is reflected in more than 350 active affiliation agreements with schools and districts.² One standout initiative is the fully online Teacher Apprentice Program, which serves over 210 school districts and creates a pathway for paraeducators to earn teaching credentials while continuing to work.² The program addresses critical teacher shortages by growing talent from within the classroom. Another community resource, the WISE Clinic, delivers free mental health and play therapy services to children and families,² giving graduate students in counseling and related fields supervised clinical experience while filling a vital community need.

Applied Learning and Faculty Expertise

From the first semester, students engage in hands-on experiences that mirror the realities of their future professions. Coursework is designed around the university’s applied learning model,³ so aspiring teachers, counselors, and administrators practice their skills in real settings. Faculty members bring specialized knowledge in high-demand areas such as gifted education and school counseling, guiding students through projects, internships, and clinical placements that are woven into every program.

Access for Working Educators and Diverse Communities

The college intentionally structures its master’s programs, including online, on-campus, and hybrid formats, to accommodate working professionals. Initiatives like the Klose Scholarship, which provides up to $33,000 for math or science education majors, help lower financial barriers.³ Through open-access clinics, the Teacher Apprentice Program, and a commitment to diverse student populations, the College of Education demonstrates that it is not just preparing educators, but actively building a stronger, more equitable education system for all Kansans.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Wichita State M.ed. Specializations: Find Your Focus

Which Wichita State Master’s in Education focus aligns with your professional goals? The College of Education offers four distinct M.Ed. specializations, each designed to deepen your expertise and expand your career options within Kansas schools. From counseling and teacher leadership to early childhood and gifted education, you can choose a path that matches the students you want to serve and the role you aim to fill. Below, explore each track, and refer to the full program listing after this section for side-by-side details on credits, delivery, and outcomes.

School Counseling

This 60-credit M.Ed. in School Counseling prepares you for Kansas School Counselor Licensure while equipping you to support K-12 students academically, socially, and emotionally. You will complete 100 practicum hours, including 40 hours of direct client contact¹, and an additional 75 hours of field experience in real school settings. Delivery is flexible: you can attend evening classes in Wichita, join online, or blend both formats to fit your schedule. Graduates often step into school counselor roles immediately after meeting state requirements.

Educational Leadership

Choose between a 33-credit licensure track and a 30-credit non-licensure option. The licensure path leads to the Building Leadership Endorsement from the Kansas State Department of Education², a credential required for principal and assistant principal positions. You will also sit for the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA)². The non-licensure track serves educators seeking teacher leadership skills without administrative certification, such as instructional coaches or department heads. Both tracks emphasize practical leadership strategies grounded in current research.

Early Childhood Education

This specialization focuses on children birth through age 8, covering development, curriculum design, and family engagement. Coursework aligns with Kansas standards and can lead to an early childhood unified endorsement, qualifying you for roles in preschools, Head Start programs, and early elementary grades. While specific credit requirements vary, the program typically includes embedded field experiences so you can apply theory directly in early learning environments.

Gifted Education

For educators who want to challenge and support high-ability learners, WSU’s gifted education track explores identification methods, differentiated instruction, and program design. Completion often leads to a Kansas gifted endorsement, preparing you for positions such as gifted facilitator, enrichment coordinator, or classroom teacher with advanced expertise. You will learn to create inclusive, rigorous opportunities that help gifted students thrive academically and socially.

Each specialization includes hands-on clinical components and a clear path toward Kansas licensure or endorsement where relevant. For full curriculum outlines, credit totals, and the latest admission details, see the structured comparison block immediately following this section.

WSU M.ed. By the Numbers

Here is a quick look at Wichita State's M.Ed. by the numbers, from program options to costs and outcomes.

How You’ll Learn: Online, On-Campus, and Hybrid Flexibility

Some Wichita State M.Ed. programs can be completed entirely online from anywhere in Kansas, while others blend online learning with essential face-to-face evening classes. Understanding these delivery modes will help you choose a path that fits your life and career goals.

Fully Online Programs

Several specializations are available in a fully online format, allowing you to complete coursework without stepping foot on campus. The Learning and Instructional Design M.Ed. is a 30-credit¹, fully online program with no required clinical hours², ideal for educators focusing on curriculum and training. Both the Special Education , High Incidence and Low Incidence M.Ed. tracks are also fully online, each requiring 135 clinical hours¹ that can be arranged in your local school district. The Alternative Certification route in High Incidence Special Education is similarly fully online³. These online M.Ed. programs for working teachers are designed for maximum flexibility.

Programs with In-Person Components

Not all degrees can be earned remotely. The Counseling M.Ed. is primarily delivered through on-campus evening classes, with some online and hybrid coursework mixed in⁴. This structure ensures you get the interpersonal practice essential for clinical mental health roles. The Transition to Teaching M.Ed. combines on-campus, hybrid, and online formats², giving career-changers multiple entry points while still requiring in-person interactions. These formats typically take two to three years to complete⁴², with classes scheduled during evenings and occasional weekends to accommodate full-time work.

Flexible Scheduling for Working Professionals

Wichita State structures its graduate courses with the working educator in mind. Online programs often use asynchronous delivery so you can watch lectures and complete assignments on your own schedule, while hybrid and on-campus courses are concentrated in the evenings. For instance, the Educational Leadership M.Ed. is designed to be finished in about two years⁵ with a cohort model that keeps you moving forward alongside peers. Even programs with clinical fieldwork, like special education, let you complete your required hours in your own classroom or a nearby school, minimizing disruption to your job.

Gaining Real-World Experience Through Clinicals

Clinical experience requirements vary by specialization. Special education candidates complete 135 hours of supervised practice¹ in K-12 settings, typically arranged through partnerships with Kansas schools. Counseling students engage in extensive practicum and internship placements coordinated by program faculty⁴. Meanwhile, the Learning and Instructional Design track has no clinical component², focusing instead on applied projects. Regardless of format, Wichita State ensures that hands-on learning aligns with state licensure standards and your career progression.

Investing in Your Future: Tuition and Financial Aid

What does a Wichita State M.Ed. actually cost, and how can you pay for it?

Graduate tuition at Wichita State is charged by the credit hour, and the rate depends on your residency status. For education programs in the current academic year, in-state students pay approximately $350.73 per credit hour. Out-of-state residents face a higher per-credit rate, around $562 based on published figures, so the total adds up quickly for non-residents.¹ The good news: many M.Ed. courses are available online at the same per-credit rate as on-campus sections, and WSU does not charge a separate online course fee for most education offerings, keeping costs predictable regardless of format.

Total Program Cost by Specialization

Most M.Ed. tracks at Wichita State require between 30 and 36 semester hours. At the in-state rate, a 30-credit program totals about $10,522 in tuition, while a 36-credit path runs roughly $12,626. After adding mandatory student fees, the estimated total program cost is approximately $11,574 for a typical 30-hour degree.¹ Certain specializations may carry additional course or clinical fees, but the College of Education works to keep those extras transparent on the university’s tuition webpage. Out-of-state students should plan for total costs in the $16,000 to $20,000 range, though tuition waivers or graduate assistantships can reduce that burden significantly.¹

Financial Aid and Funding Sources

Paying for graduate school rarely comes from one source. Here are the most common ways WSU M.Ed. students fund their degrees:

• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Available to all graduate students who file a FAFSA, with annual limits up to $20,500.
• TEACH Grant: For students committed to teaching in high-need fields at low-income schools, this grant can provide up to $4,000 per year, but it comes with a service obligation.
• WSU Graduate School Scholarships: The university awards several competitive scholarships based on academic merit, such as the Graduate School Scholarship, which can cover a portion of tuition.
• Graduate Assistantships: These positions offer a stipend and full or partial tuition remission in exchange for teaching, research, or administrative work. Check the College of Education’s available assistantships early; they are limited.
• Employer Reimbursement: Many school districts and educational organizations partner with Wichita State or offer tuition reimbursement as an employee benefit. Contact your HR department to see if you qualify.

How WSU Compares to Kansas Averages

Using the university’s overall net price as a benchmark (the average amount families pay after grants and scholarships), Wichita State comes in around $13,194 per year across all programs.² For an M.Ed. student paying in-state tuition, the entire program cost of $11,574 is well below that single-year average, making the graduate education value notably strong. Even when compared to master's in education programs in Kansas, WSU’s per-credit rate and total cost remain competitive, particularly given the flexible online and hybrid delivery options that let you keep working while you earn the degree.

Your Path to Admission

Getting into a graduate program while holding down a full-time teaching job means juggling deadlines, test registrations, and paperwork on top of your daily classroom responsibilities. The path becomes much simpler when you break the admissions process into concrete, verifiable steps. At Wichita State University, the College of Education designs its application requirements to be transparent, but the most accurate details always live on the official website, where updates are posted as policies evolve.

Start with the Official Source

Your first stop should be the College of Education website and the graduate catalog. Here you'll find the complete list of required materials: transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a current resume. The site will also specify whether your chosen M.Ed. specialization asks for a teaching portfolio, a writing sample, or an interview. Because programs adjust their criteria from year to year, what was true for a colleague's application cycle may not hold for yours. Bookmark the page and revisit it before you submit.

Understanding GPA and Test Score Policies

WSU's M.Ed. programs set their own academic benchmarks, and these often differ from one specialization to another. Some may require a minimum undergraduate GPA, while others consider your entire profile, including professional experience and graduate-level coursework you have already completed. Similarly, the GRE or MAT might be required, optional, or waived. Programs that cater to practicing teachers frequently offer test-optional pathways, but you cannot assume a policy without checking. The program's application page will state the current test requirements and any GPA thresholds. If the language seems unclear, a quick call to the graduate admissions office can save you from unnecessary exam fees or last-minute scrambling.

Prerequisite Experience and Credentials

Many M.Ed. tracks at WSU expect applicants to hold a valid teaching license or have accumulated classroom experience. Early childhood and elementary specializations, for example, might require licensure, while leadership and counseling programs may seek a different blend of credentials and work history. To gauge whether your background aligns, consult resources beyond the university website. The Kansas State Board of Education and professional organizations like the American School Counselor Association outline the professional standards that graduate programs often reference. These external guidelines can help you frame your application around the competencies the admissions committee will value, even if WSU's official prerequisites are less detailed.

Application Deadlines and Timing

Wichita State operates on a semester calendar, with distinct deadlines for fall, spring, and summer admission. Some programs review files on a rolling basis, while others make decisions only after the final deadline has passed. Missing a cutoff can delay your enrollment by an entire term, so map out your timeline early. The university's graduate admissions calendar provides overarching dates, but individual programs may close sooner if they reach capacity. Contact the department directly to confirm the deadline for your intended start term and to ask whether late applications are ever considered. A short email or phone conversation can also clarify the timeline for letters of recommendation and transcript processing, ensuring every piece of your application arrives on time.

Application Checklist: Steps to Your M.ed.

Applying to Wichita State's Master's in Education programs involves a few straightforward steps. Be sure to check each program's page for any unique instructions.

Where Your Degree Can Take You: Career Outcomes and Earnings

While program-level earnings data is not yet available from federal sources, occupational data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics paints a clear picture of where a Wichita State M.Ed. can lead. In Kansas, school counselors earn a median wage of $53,320, and instructional coordinators and special education teachers also command competitive salaries given the state's low cost of living.

Why Wichita State? The Bottom Line

Kansas districts are hiring more master’s-prepared educators than ever to fill specialized roles, from school counseling to gifted instruction, making the choice of a graduate program a career-defining decision. Wichita State University’s College of Education meets this moment with a combination of affordability, convenience, and immediate classroom relevance that few Kansas institutions can match.

Affordable Excellence in a Public Institution

Wichita State delivers a respected graduate degree at a price that respects a teacher’s reality. In-state tuition for M.Ed. programs remains competitive across all formats, and graduate assistantships, scholarships, and employer partnerships further reduce out-of-pocket costs. When you factor in the salary step increases many Kansas districts offer for a master’s degree, the financial equation becomes even clearer: this is an investment that starts paying back quickly.

Convenience Without Compromise

The university built its master’s programs around practicing educators. Most specializations are available fully online or in a hybrid format that blends evening sessions with independent coursework. You can continue teaching in your current classroom while earning credentials in early childhood education, special education, counselor education, or teacher leadership. Extended semester starts and flexible pacing allow you to ramp up or slow down as life demands.

Specializations and Endorsements Other Schools Miss

Beyond the common M.Ed. pathways, Wichita State houses rare-to-Kansas programs like gifted education and comprehensive school counseling tracks that lead directly to state endorsements. These are not theoretical add-ons; they are built-in sequences that prepare you for licensure exams and career transitions. The College of Education’s advising model ensures you exit the program not just with a degree, but with the exact credentials districts are requesting in job postings.

Career Impact Anchored in Local Networks

WSU’s century-deep partnership with Wichita Public Schools and surrounding districts means every program is woven into the fabric of regional education. Clinical placements, practicums, and internships happen in the real schools where you might interview tomorrow. Faculty members often serve on district advisory boards, and alumni fill principal, coordinator, and specialist roles throughout south-central Kansas. That network turns a diploma into a hiring advantage.

A Forward Investment in Kansas Education

Choosing a master’s program is a statement about where you want your career to go. Wichita State’s programs are not static; they evolve with state standards and workforce data, ensuring you learn what Kansas schools need right now. As demand for highly qualified specialists continues to rise, completing an M.Ed. at this respected public institution positions you to step into roles that shape student outcomes for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions About WSU M.ed. Programs

Prospective students often have questions about Wichita State University's master's in education programs. Here are answers to some of the most common inquiries, covering online availability, costs, licensure requirements, and endorsement opportunities.

Other Wichita State University Schools

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